Small Town Parades

Small town parades are one of the great joys of living in Anacortes. Sure, it is mostly classic cars, candy, kids on bikes, and shameless commercialism (although this guy spiced it up, making me feel better about bowing out of my two year tradition). But chances are, you know somebody in at least one of the troupes which always makes it fun. Plus, walking down the streets, you are bound to run into people you haven't seen in a while, and it is always good to catch up. One of the bummers that gets me every year is the on-it's-way-to-the-trash-heap crap that Shell Oil and others insist on throwing to the masses. Stop by Kiwanis the week after the parade, and I bet you'll find hundreds of those unthrowable frisbees stuck in purgatory on the shelves. And those are the ones that didn't end up the garbage, like I'm sure the majority of them did. Also, do we really need to pretend we are New Orleans and do the beads thing? The plastic crap is one aspect of the parade I could do without. On the up side, however, there was a pleasant counterpoint, a new addition to this year's parade. A troupe advocating carbon reduction marched along advocating living in harmony with nature, using bikes and public transportation, and more*. Star of their group was the much talked about electric car. Yep, living in a small town ain't so bad at all. Top it all off with a top notch fireworks display this evening, and I'll pick Anacortes's Fourth of July any day.

Wednesday July 4 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 09:30 pm PDT Cyndi said: I like your tallness better! ************************ on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 09:47 pm PDT Amanda said: I'm so sad I didn't get to go to the parade this year- and I'm even more bummed that I missed the fireworks. Thank you for your lovely photographs. ************************ on Thu 05th Jul, 2007 08:35 pm PDT Wilbur said: I missed the parade...on purpose...but i did catch the fireworks...i could actually see em from my front yard! I was stoked...so i sat on the bench and enjoyed them last night...awesome. ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 12:06 pm PDT Sean said: Holy crap it's July. ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:09 pm PDT Sean said: Sean, what's the deal with your frequent BdW commenting and your infrequent sirmaxalot commenting?? I thought the Marine Corps instilled loyalty and such. P.S. Why no stilt man this year, Wren? ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:11 pm PDT Sean said: (The above is from me. Sean is not chastising Sean yet, as far as I know, but the desert can do crazy things to people.) ************************ on Fri 06th Jul, 2007 06:11 pm PDT Sean said: From Christen: Why won't it let me use my name? Hmmm... ************************

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Baby Time

It seems the talk amongst people my age these days is babies. Everyone is either having them, thinking about having them, reading blogs about them, or fawning over someone else's. Put me in the latter category. This past week, I've had the opportunity of chilling with Ms. Clara (of Emily and Clara fame) while she and her mom were out visiting from Las Vegas. It is sometimes hard to appreciate the little observations and joys shared on other baby blogs like IHJ and SMaL by those of us that are so far removed from the baby world. Passing time with a young 'un this past week enhanced that appreciation for those little things* you are always hearing people talk about. Anyway, it was an awesome visit what with the beach, garden, frisbee, goobering, walking, and whatnot. (First item on the agenda after a week of baby time: a three hour nap. Good times.)

Sunday July 1 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Sun 01st Jul, 2007 11:02 pm PDT Saxtor said: Hmmm, your new home* doesn't have the same charm as the Out-Back... ************************ on Mon 02nd Jul, 2007 05:10 am PDT Chris said: Hey, anytime you need a baby fix, you just fly right on over here and take him for as long as you want. If you're too busy, I can alwyas next-day air him to ya too. Just make sure you open it right away, he can only eat so many of the peanuts before he realizes they're styrofoam. ************************ on Mon 02nd Jul, 2007 03:10 pm PDT Janet Bremer said: My, marvelous pictures of my gorgeous granddaughter. All 3 of you are SO photogenic. Janet B ************************ on Tue 03rd Jul, 2007 09:24 pm PDT Wilbur said: yea that kid was pretty cool. The coolest thing she did? when she would grab some toy, hold it over her head in triumphant victory, then spike it on the ground as if she were so over it...and then do it again. ;-) ************************ on Wed 04th Jul, 2007 11:50 am PDT Jule said: that is some look on ms. clara's face in the "whatnot" picture. just what is she thinking? planning how to take over the world? ************************

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Local Music Equals Local Fun

Saturday evening, I found myself at Boulevard Park in Bellingham rocking to the sweet sounds of Spoonshine (Best. Band. Ever.). Even though the weather wasn't perfect (although it did clear up for a moderately nice sunset*), the turnout wasn't as good as it could of been, and I didn't have any juggling buddies to throw clubs at*, it was still the best Saturday night I've had in a long time. Oh, and any day that you get to hang out with a caped wonder can't be a bad day. Speaking of local music, rumor has it that the Red Note (current band of former Perfect Day frontman and local legend Shane Chapman) is playing at the Brown Lantern this Saturday night. It'll be a raucous good time, no doubt. (Okay, everyone is entitled to doubt. Far be it from me to tell you how to feel.) Anyway, it is good to poke my head in on the local music scene every now and again. Knowing the guys (or gals) that are up on stage always makes for a more enjoyable show.

Sunday June 17 2007

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 09:27 pm PDT jenelle said: indeed. I was fortunate enough to see those guys busking at folklife. it think it's safe to say that most bands which include an upright bass are going to be good. by the way, it sounds like you didn't make it to the solstice parade. whatsamattuh, you don't like seeing nekked peoples on parade?! ************************ on Fri 22nd Jun, 2007 08:49 pm PDT Wilbur said: yea next time they're playin around here call me i'd like to go see em. shane's playin this saturday? what time? i'd like to come down and see. prolly see ya there... ************************ on Sat 30th Jun, 2007 10:08 am PDT trista said: RED NoTE! RED NOTE! ************************

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Frisbee Season is Upon Us

The 2007 Anacortes Parks & Rec Ultimate Frisbee season is upon us! 'Round about March every year, I start getting excited to run around in the luscious green grass fields of Smiley's Bottom while throwing around the frisbee like the hippie I am. Then 'round about June, the weather starts to cooperate. This year, I've been designated as the facilitator which I suppose is only right because I've been participating for so many years now. In addition to running the P&R game, I've been helping out with the high school team. It has been great to get some extra playing time in as well as feel like I am making the world a better place by helping to train tomorrow's frisbee players. So if you are in the Anacortes area, set aside Tuesday nights to come join us for a game. Smiley's Bottom at 6 pm. All skill levels welcome. (Spectators and cheering squads welcome as well.) Hope to see you there! Oh, and for those of you who don't know what Ultimate Frisbee is, www.whatisultimate.com has this to say: Ultimate is an exciting, non-contact team sport, played by thousands the world over. It mixes the best features of sports such as Soccer, Basketball, American Football and Netball into an elegantly simple yet fascinating and demanding game.

Wednesday June 6 2007

File under: Anacortes, games

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on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 01:26 pm PDT cardboard said: swiiiirly haha pcu ************************ on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 04:44 pm PDT Emily said: Hmmm, we're talking about "luscious green grass" AND swiiiirly frisbees...??? ************************ on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 07:49 pm PDT Jule said: Nice work Wren! Coaching the high school ultimate team will be fun, but I bet they don't have as many keggers as the college team, but that can change... ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 10:55 am PDT Sean said: Bee bit my bottom, now my bottom's big. ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 11:03 am PDT Sean said: Don't take your cool crappy weather for granted. I long for the spring days that were less than 110F. And with boots, thick ol' cammie pants and longsleeve cammie shirt and a weapon, there's 20lbs right there. And then throw 50 pounds of helmet and flak jacket on top of that and lots of running around and some adrenaline, you've got a Sean who desperately needs a Flav-Or Ice. ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 02:08 pm PDT Wren said: Freeze n eat or drink it chilled! ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 05:22 pm PDT cardboard said: no no sean you need a chilly willy! ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 08:22 pm PDT Wilbur said: ULTIMATE!!!! ************************

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Estamos En Fuego

Who said sparklers were just for kids or making bombs*? With a little creativity, a fancy schmancy camera, and a little help from the internet, lots of fun can be had. In honor of the IHJ invasion, Ryan held one of his world renowned Movie Nights. (Casino Royale was this episode's feature.) After the movie (and pizza, cake, and splargus*), Ryan coaxed us all outside for a little sparkler art. While I was a little reluctant at first (partially because of the cold, partially because the chances for undesirable fire consequences were not as slim as one would hope), I quickly got into the spirit once I saw the results. Outlining was the first course of business. Here's Ryan, me, and Chris and Jenn. (You may notice a bit of a solar flare above Chris in that last one. He took it like a champ!) After we had our fun with outlining, we tried a little skywriting. As you can tell, I was decidedly unsuccessful.

Sunday April 15 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 12:34 pm PDT Andrew said: nice pics champ! too bad art is for nerds! ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 08:28 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Good times. Next time, we'll do it on a warmer night so we can perfect it! ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 08:34 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: You're right -- splargus is cran-raspberry. Splongus is cran-apple. ************************ on Sun 15th Apr, 2007 10:11 pm PDT Sean said: OlogduWon? What the heck does that mean?I did the rhinocerous juggling trick out here. It was a big hit. Poop is universally funny. ************************ on Mon 16th Apr, 2007 08:26 pm PDT Jule said: wow! you guys look like angels! that is really neat. ************************ on Sat 21st Apr, 2007 03:53 pm PDT amanda said: but did you actually burn anything? ************************

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Tiptoe Through the Tulips

For anyone who lives in Skagit County, or even in the whole Northwest, it goes without saying that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world (although it is sometimes worth reminding ourselves of when it has rained for 12 days straight). Tulip time in Skagit County might as well serve as the poster child for the Northwest's beauty, if you ask me. It wasn't until 2 years ago that I visited the tulips the first time. Of course I had driven through from time to time, but I had never stopped. Since then, I've tried not to miss snapping at least one picture per year. (It makes for a perfect backdrop.) Today, with an out-of- towner in tow, Dave and I played toured guide. He played professional photographer while I attempted to follow his lead. While photography might not be my thing, at least I can do fun computery stuff with pictures. Check out this panorama (Java required).

Thursday April 12 2007

File under: pics, Anacortes

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on Fri 13th Apr, 2007 09:41 am PDT Sweet Julie said: Java-schmava! I LOVE the pretty flowers! And the beautiful people in them! I wanna go! ************************ on Fri 13th Apr, 2007 04:36 pm PDT cardboard said: funny the posterchild for the northwest is a non native ugly hybrib tulip. I could see it being the posterchild for traffic and general misery for anyone driving in the valley...its colorful but i dont see any beauty lurking there. What say you wren i have a hard time believing you are pro tulip festival. Seems like a waste of good farm land to me. ************************ on Sat 14th Apr, 2007 09:05 am PDT ALP said: your tulips are beautiful! however, i'm still enjoying my mountains... ************************ on Sat 14th Apr, 2007 09:27 am PDT Jule said: Those are beautiful! They really should make a festival out of those....How many tourists did you have to elbow out of the way to get those nice shots? It looks like you missed one in your panaroma, sorta looks like Dave Clumpner! ************************ on Thu 26th Apr, 2007 02:16 am PDT Kate said: Great photos! Made me smile. ************************

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Re-Taste of Anacortes

Once again, we (Amanda and I), accompanied by Marg, hit the town for the Taste of Anacortes. Like last time, it was a blast. Good food, a night on the town, and a little class (enough class that I felt out-classed, but we all know how much class that takes...). Sadly, this was the last Taste of the year. Here's hoping that they do it again next year! For all of you who didn't get to experience it all, here's what was served: The Store: A smattering of hors d'oeuvres all made from ingredients available at the Store. They included asparagus with a chardonnay mustard sauce, cherry tomatoes stuffed with blue cheese, prawn with "green" tampanade and caper, snow peas piped with egg salad, and a couple of breads with some sauce. Il Posto: Chicken wrapped with something served over polenta with gravy. Yummy! Randy's Pier 36: Battered and fried calamari strips served with aioli and lemon. El Jinete: Pollo al crema and rice. Cheesecake Cafe: Chocolate truffle cheesecake and shortbread cookies with pink frosting.

Wednesday March 21 2007

File under: food, Anacortes

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on Thu 22nd Mar, 2007 08:27 am PST amanda said: i liked The Store the best! it was pretty cool to have the option to buy and make all of the hors d'oeuvres myself (mmmmm, smokey chardonnay mustard) ************************ on Thu 22nd Mar, 2007 11:25 am PST Sweet Julie said: Pictures? Pictures, Wren-Wren?! ************************

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Taste of Anacortes

Does any body remember the good old days in high school when we used to go to Mt. Vernon/Burlington on eating excursions where we'd visit 3 or 4 different restaurants and just indulge ourselves? Okay, for a lot of you, you prolly don't. And anyway, it's not important. Last night, however, I was reminded of just such good old times while I was hopping from restaurant to restaurant during the Taste of Anacortes. Granted, the food and establishments were much nicer than the Taco Bell, McDonald's, etc. of those old, uninformed days. I caught myself somewhat hyperbolicly[sic] commenting, "This is the best night ever." The deal was we cruised to 5 different restaurants (out of a possible 15) and had a little nosh at each. Listed below are the ones we chose and what each served. Flounder Bay Cafe Choice of shrimp or chicken caesar salad or clam chowder Aloha Bar and Grill Sampler plate of BBQed pork(?), chicken, pasta salad, rice, pineapple, and passion-orange-guava juice El Jinete Chili con carne with onions, cheese, and chips Adrift Taco with sweet potato and lots of other goodness Penguin Coffee 12oz. drink of choice and cookie The verdict: what a great way to spend a mid-week evening. I can't wait until next month to sample what other restaurants in the area have to offer.

Thursday February 22 2007

File under: food, Anacortes

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on Fri 23rd Feb, 2007 04:25 am UTC Jule said: You could get all of that and more at the Royal Fork. One stop shopping ************************ on Fri 23rd Feb, 2007 07:48 pm UTC amanda said: "the taste" was fun! you forgot to mention the chardonnay at Flounder Bay though, just cuz you didn't have any doesn't mean it didn't exist! ;) ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 01:17 am UTC Andrew said: with so many choices, you could argue that it was truly the "Omnivore's Dilemma"! err. no wait. I mean the "DaVinci Code". yeah. that is what i meant. good book. all those riddles and clues. the illiterati. or was that "Angels & Demons"? i forget. they were both so great. true masterpieces. and to think, i would have never picked them out if it wasn't for the stellar reporting of Georgie LaForge. take a look kids. it's in a book... ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 01:19 am UTC Andrew said: with so many choices, you could argue that it was truly the "Omnivore's Dilemma"! err. no wait. I mean the "DaVinci Code". yeah. that is what i meant. good book. all those riddles and clues. the illiterati. or was that "Angels & Demons"? i forget. they were both so great. true masterpieces. and to think, i would have never picked them out if it wasn't for the stellar reporting of Georgie LaForge. take a look kids. it's in a book... ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 01:21 am UTC Andrew said: yes! the ellusive double post! and i owe it all to the illuminati! damn. i called them the illiminati in the first two posts. total ignorance. ...if only i had actually read any Dan Brown book. to be honest, i just looked at the pictures. ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 05:31 am UTC Mom said: Okay, count me on the next one. BTW, what's with the Beta version under BDW? I'm confused--maybe it's the searing NZ sun and sound of waves just beyond the door that causes the befuddelment. (is that a word?) ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 05:31 am UTC Mom said: Okay, count me on the next one. BTW, what's with the Beta version under BDW? I'm confused--maybe it's the searing NZ sun and sound of waves just beyond the door that causes the befuddelment. (is that a word?) ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 05:32 am UTC Mom said: Okat, Count me in twice for the next TOA--whatever, I can't let A'drew get ahead of me. ************************ on Sat 24th Feb, 2007 01:21 pm UTC Sean said: HA HA! I love the double posts! Perhaps I'll physically double post this one and go for the elusive... QUADRUPLE POST. Or perhaps I shant. Back to some more fair and balanced news! ACLU most dangerous organization in America says Bill O-Reilly! ************************ on Mon 26th Feb, 2007 01:57 pm UTC Chris said: All I need to know about Anacortes Cuisine is whether or not Cafe Adrift is still in business and if they still sell the Skagit Burger. Apparently it captivated my wife the last time she was there and I'm pretty sure it's the only real reason she's coming back with me in April. So, what's the word - If it's gone I need to know so I can start planning some giant Saved-By-The-Bellesque ruse to trick my wife in to coming up there. ************************ on Mon 26th Feb, 2007 09:54 am PST Saxtor said: Psssssh.....Chris, tell your wife that it's all about the Samish burger with oysters. That is my favorite sandwich in the world. ************************ on Tue 27th Feb, 2007 05:33 am PST Andrew said: hmmm. interesting Saxtor. My favorite sandwich is WORLD PEACE! ...but i guess some people are just greedy. ************************ on Tue 27th Feb, 2007 06:51 am PST Stacy said: The Royal Fork... ah that fateful place... meeeeeeemorieeeeeeeeeeeeees, like the corner of my miiiiiiiiiiiiiind..... ************************

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On Being a Tourist in Your Own Town

I've lived in Anacortes a long time now and I feel that I know it pretty well. I can tell you where the best pizza is (Village, of course), how many stop lights there are (13), and the best hike (depends on the weather). But it isn't often that I get to play tourist in my own town. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to do just that. A friend was visiting from the East Coast who had never properly seen Fidalgo Island. (Passing through to the ferry totally doesn't count.) We got to see Deception Pass, Cap Sante, Burrows Island lookout on the WaPa loop, the funny house down by Matt Kanarr's old house, Whistle Lake (with so many new downed trees!), Causland Park, and much more. Some of these I happen upon in my daily life. Others I rarely visit. All of them take on new dimensions when seen through non-resident's eyes. Being exposed to the beauty that is Fidalgo Island on a daily basis can sometimes cause me to forget how spectacular it is here. Anne's frequent "This is so beautiful!" helped remind me to take a step back and appreciate this beautiful place in which we live.

Wednesday January 24 2007

File under: Anacortes, pics

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on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 01:30 am UTC Jule said: Wait, you live in Anacortes? That is where I am from! ************************ on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 02:28 am UTC Andrew said: Blake lives on Fidooooglio Island. ************************ on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 03:46 am UTC hannah said: Isn't there a legend that if you spend a night on Fidalgo Island you will constantly return to visit? ************************ on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 08:33 pm UTC Trista said: I'm with Anne~ It's SO beautiful! ************************ on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 10:23 pm UTC Wren said: Note: In response to the request of someone who shall remain nameless, one of the pictures that was originally posted has been changed. ************************ on Thu 25th Jan, 2007 10:32 pm UTC Sara said: I remember going to Acadia with you freshman year and your "This looks like my island back home" comments. Sigh. Acadia definitely didn't look like home for me. ************************ on Fri 26th Jan, 2007 12:25 am UTC Saxtor said: Wren, this comment is coming from inside the internet! ************************ on Fri 26th Jan, 2007 01:44 am UTC Ryan Walters said: Have you seen the castle house down around 10th street? ************************ on Fri 26th Jan, 2007 04:19 pm UTC Chris said: You seem to be forgetting some very important historical landmarks on your list; just to name a few: The Outback: Home of the only people who ever actually drank OK Cola The Shed: Site of over 1,000,000 games of Goldeneye played Commercial Market: Originator of the Schlong-Pop The Brown Lantern: Anacortes' premier higher education facility Plus, on top of all that you can always change up the pace and take one of our many tours like "VW Vanagons Throughout the Ages". Honestly, I'm surprised we haven't been approached by the History Channel yet to host a documentery! ************************ on Fri 26th Jan, 2007 04:23 pm UTC Chris said: Disclaimer: The previous comment was intended as an attempt at humor and not Anacortes bashing; please do not revoke my passport privilages to A-Town, I wouldn't trade it for any city I've ever been to (Except for maybe Paris, they had really good cheese) ************************ on Sat 27th Jan, 2007 04:14 pm UTC cardboard said: oi oi oi a photo op at the expense of an endangered serpentine grassland....stay on the train turbofeet. ************************ on Mon 29th Jan, 2007 06:12 am UTC tee said: I have a very dear little friend that comes to visit twice a month. I take her to only one different special spot on the island and we enjoy it to the fullest. Her dose of nature lasts in mind and body and in magical photos. I always look forward to her visits so I can explore my backyard in wonder and awe... ************************ on Tue 30th Jan, 2007 06:52 pm UTC Quag said: Wait, wait, wait. Villige pizza the best?!?! You must be smoking one of A-trains (and more specifically gweeeemas's) most prominent exports. ************************ on Tue 30th Jan, 2007 06:58 pm UTC Wren said: Blake, I was wondering how long it would take someone to take issue with that. ************************ on Mon 12th Feb, 2007 02:24 am UTC amanda said: ok, i still say the "funny house" has issues. i mean, they must not have used a real architect because look at those supports!! i can't even write the sound i make when i see it, sorry, that's me being an engineer, we are supposed to hide those sorts of things from the general public. ************************

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